Westonbirt Engagement shoot - Chloe & Ian

- 6 Dec 2021 -

If you are one to think "I hate having my photo taken" or "we'd like to get to know you better before our wedding day". I totally get that. I actually hated having my photo taken years ago and only felt confident in front of the camera after a few pints of my favourite beverage (cider!). On your wedding day, having someone pointing a camera at all different angles, all day long can seem a little uncomfortable. 

It is then I suggest a pre wedding photo shoot, or if you rather call it a engagement shoot.  A lot of the time during the actual pre wedding shoots is actually spent chatting, thus getting us a little more comfortable with one another. Psychologically if your happier with the people your around with, you tend to act more natural, thus making it much easier for me to photograph you looking more natural. Simple but very true. 

My style of photograph also means we don't just stand still, turn your head a bit, look that way, no that way, hang on a minute (wait 5 min). Rather, it's fast paced therefore not allowing you to feel vain about oneself. I always try and make it fun and a little bit quirky. 

I met up with Chloe & Ian at Westonbirt Arboretum. Chloe initially felt not only nervous about the shoot, she also said she lacked confidence in front of the camera. My strategy to this, is, that "your actually just meeting Ben". I normally get a little puzzlement look to this answer. But it's true, you are just meeting me, Ben! What I love about my job is turning around your mindset from having a little anxiety because of the photoshoot to ultimately having fun and becoming relaxed around me (and maybe my camera!).

Usually the pre wedding shoot actually creates a bond between us. You'll have seen the pre wedding images beforehand, which will also give you further confidence in my ability as a photographer, so that on the big day, you just let me get on with it, therefore allowing you to enjoy the day.